Style
Here are some guidelines regarding the features of different styles. All the features don't need to be present to suggest the style
Classical - (like Mozart)
Orchestra won't feature Brass and percussion as much as Romantic music.
Alberti bass on piano.
Modest dynamics are used but not as obvious or dramatic as in Romantic music.
Some imitation and polyphony in general
Mostly homophonic however (melody and accompaniment), short melodies with clear cadences. (Can describe as classical textures)
"Nice", like Mozart. Nice melodies, not too dramatic, nice harmonies.
Diatonic harmonies and modulation to closely related keys.
Orchestra won't feature Brass and percussion as much as Romantic music.
Alberti bass on piano.
Modest dynamics are used but not as obvious or dramatic as in Romantic music.
Some imitation and polyphony in general
Mostly homophonic however (melody and accompaniment), short melodies with clear cadences. (Can describe as classical textures)
"Nice", like Mozart. Nice melodies, not too dramatic, nice harmonies.
Diatonic harmonies and modulation to closely related keys.
Romantic - (like Berlioz)
Larger orchestra often featuring Brass and percussion, often a very rich sound.
Much more dramatic with more extreme dynamics compared to Classical.
More complicated harmonies (chromatic harmony).
Very expressive music.
Larger orchestra often featuring Brass and percussion, often a very rich sound.
Much more dramatic with more extreme dynamics compared to Classical.
More complicated harmonies (chromatic harmony).
Very expressive music.
Contemporary - (like Seachanges)
Dissonance (clashy)
Changing time signatures
Irregular time signatures
any or all of the above
electronic
Dissonance (clashy)
Changing time signatures
Irregular time signatures
any or all of the above
electronic
Baroque (like Bach) See the BACH pages on this site for videos of Baroque music
NO piano
Loads of polyphony, counterpoint
ornamentation
long elaborate melodies
Small ensembles of instruments often featuring harpsichord.
NO piano
Loads of polyphony, counterpoint
ornamentation
long elaborate melodies
Small ensembles of instruments often featuring harpsichord.
Jazz
Jazz instruments, saxophone, Double Bass, Piano, drum kit (brushes) brass, clarinets
Syncopation (rhythm)
Swing (rhythm)
Jazz harmony (spicy jazzy chords)
improvisation (make up)
Jazz instruments, saxophone, Double Bass, Piano, drum kit (brushes) brass, clarinets
Syncopation (rhythm)
Swing (rhythm)
Jazz harmony (spicy jazzy chords)
improvisation (make up)
